Wigan manager Roberto Martinez is looking to put a difficult week behind him by securing a victory at struggling Portsmouth.

Martinez felt obliged to phone Sir Alex Ferguson to explain remarks attributed to him in a Spanish newspaper - and the Manchester United boss said the matter had been resolved.

He also contacted Steve Bruce, Sam Allardyce and Rafael Benitez after they were all implicated in the article.

On top of that striker Marlon King was jailed for 18 months after being convicted of sexual assault and actual bodily harm which led to him being sacked by the club.

Wigan arrive at Fratton Park on a good run of form with seven points from four games, with the only blip coming against Hull.

Martinez said: "I have plenty of work on my hands as I am only 10 games into being a Premier League manager.

"I will carry on doing what I can as I want Wigan fans to enjoy our football.

"We want to continue the level of performance we have given against Chelsea, Manchester City and Burnley. Even though we were beaten at Hull there were some good aspects to our game.

"We are beginning to get some consistency but we know it will be a different challenge and a different environment entirely tomorrow."

Martinez believes Portsmouth are showing signs of improvement.

The Spanish boss said: "They are beginning to gel as a team and have been unfortunate not to get better results.

"They do not reflect where Portsmouth are and they have not being getting the credit they deserve.

"It is always a tough place to visit and we will have to be ready as they will be very competitive."

Wigan will be without Maynor Figueroa as he recovers from a knee injury. The Honduran full-back is expected to be sidelined for up to seven weeks after suffering the setback in the victory against Burnley.

Paul Scharner is doubtful with a hamstring injury while goalkeeper Chris Kirkland remains troubled by a dislocated finger.

Kirkland said: "My hand is getting better but it is still a little sore. I had a pin put in to keep things in place.

"Then against Manchester City the ball hit my fingers and bent the pin into the joint. It meant I could not bend my finger.

"At Burnley it was numbed slightly, so I was able to play. I cannot do the same training routine at the moment so I am working on other areas."

Kirkland will come face to face with David James, a goalkeeper he has trained with on England duty.

"To be still playing at 39 is a great achievement," Kirkland told www.wiganlatics.com.

"He looks after himself and is a tremendous athlete. From training alongside him, I know how good David is."